Shoppers in the UK have bemoaned the shortage of taramasalata in UK supermarkets over recent weeks as strike action has disrupted production.

Two industry sources told the Financial Times that the shortages of the Greek mezze dip were caused by industrial action over pay at Bakkavor.

Bakkavor is one of the UK's largest producers of food items such as dips, soups and salads.

Staff represented by the Unite union at the firm's Spalding site in Lincolnshire launched industrial action in September over what they deemed an "insulting" pay offer.

Bakkavor told the Financial Times: "There has been a short disruption to our supply of taramasalata, but drawing on the skills based across its 21 UK sites, production steps up again next week."

UK shoppers bemoan taramasalata shortage

Some shoppers took to social media to make people aware of the shortage of the spread, as one person on X (formerly known as Twitter) wrote: "There has been no #taramasalata at any supermarket for *over 2 months* now… What’s going on @Bakkavor? No fish left?! (…90% of UK taramasalata and houmous comes from the same factory, @marksandspencer, @waitrose, @Tesco, @sainsburys, all identical)".

Another shared: "Now the election is over can we please talk about the national taramasalata shortage."

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One person made light of the situation, saying: "Hopefully this'll stop with the taramasalata, we don't want to be heading into a double dip recession."

Bakkavor has stated that the strikes would not affect food supply long term and that its Christmas ranges were manufactured at the company’s other sites.

Meanwhile, the British Retail Consortium, which represents the industry, acknowledged there were taramasalata availability issues but said retailers were “adept at managing supply to ensure the impact on customers is kept to a minimum and they can purchase goods as normal”.